Our Ranks Swell

Cloudstar shouldered his way out of his den, flicking of some water droplets that had clung onto his fur as he passed the waterfall. Blinking in the morning sunlight and enjoying the warmth that soaked through his fur, he streaked his way towards the Oak Branch, feeling energy flow beneath his pelt. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join under the Oak Branch for a Clan meeting!" As his yowl rang throughout the camp, the Clan started to gather. Some picked their way quietly over, while others raced toward the the meeting place, tails streaming behind them. Cloudstar let his gaze wander around the clearing to inspect each and everyone of his clanmates. The muscles rippling through their fur as they settled down, their acute sense of hearing and scent, and their eagerness to know what their leader had called them out for. The OakClan leader puffed out his chest with pride, and started to continue on with the meeting. He waved his tail to get their attention, and the camp fell into a hushed silence. "As you know, OakClan is in need of new warriors to protect and fight for our Clan, and apprentices for us to pass down our knowledge to. Though these cats might have been loners or rogues once, their loyalty to the Clan is what matters. That being said, I would like to introduce you OakClan's newest members. Crescentpelt," He nodded towards a skinny black tom with silver eyes. "And two new apprentices, Birdpaw and Fallenpaw." He flicked his tail towards the two sisters. "But Fallenpaw has been chosen to go down an/other path in her apprenticeship." Gasps followed his words. "Until she has received her full name, she will be training as a medicine cat."
"But Cloudstar... We don't have a medicine cat!" A wail rose from the crowd, and Cloudstar nodded grimly.
"That is true, but StarClan will send someone on our way soon." He made sure his voice could be heard over the distrustful mutterings. "But until then, Fallenpaw will be trained as a warrior for the time being." He glanced at the she-cat. "If that is alright, for I cannot let you go without a mentor for too long." The she-cat nodded, though Cloudstar saw doubt prick her gaze, though he carried on. "Her temporary mentor will be Snowfall, and Birdpaw's mentor will be Stormfang. I trust that you two will pass on all you know to these lively, young cats." The warriors dipped their heads solemnly, and touched noses with their new apprentices. Welcoming yowls rose from the crowds, though only few participated. Ever since Starlingwing had passed away without an apprentice, his Clan had fell into a deep pit of worries, and it seemed that death lurked at every corner. Cloudstar wondered how long the peace between the Clans in this forest would last, for he didn't think his Clan would survive a battle without an experienced and vital healer. His morning energy forgotten, he waved his tail towards his deputy, Goldenbreeze, to organize the patrols for the day, and plodded off towards his nest.

~*~

Iceshadow lunged, his teeth bared. A black paw shot out, striking pan through the warriors head. He landed swiftly on the soft grass of the training hollow. "Better, but remember, if you don't have time to dodge out of the way, just roll with your attacker." Dragonpaw nodded, his eyes stern as he listened to his mentor. "Now, lets try that again." As he watched his apprentice ready himself for the mock battle, Iceshadow couldn't help thinking that a lot had happen in the past few sunrises. The Clan had finally found a well needed medicine cat, Goldfeather. Cloudstar had looked as excited as an apprentice going to his first gathering when he received a sign from StarClan, saying that they approved of two she-cats. Though it irked the tabby warrior that she wasn't clan-born, Iceshadow was thankful that his Clan was thriving. And a set of new warriors came into the Clan as well. Hawkeye, Riverfang, and Birchfire were now full-fledged warriors. There was also an apprentice called Ravenpaw, who now has Hawkeye as her mentor.
"Iceshadow?" A questioning mew broke the warrior's train of thought. "Are you ready?" Iceshadow flicked his tail in response.
"Yes, sorry about that. With the front paw strike-" His meowed was droned out by a deadly growl behind him, and Iceshadow saw his apprentice widen his eyes with sheer terror. The experienced warrior spun around, lips drawn back in a snarl, ready to take on any threat. A fox was licking his lips in front of him, showing cracked, pointy teeth. Drool dripped from his mouth as he yipped and snapped at the two clan-cats. Great, a full-grown fox battling a warrior and an apprentice who only just learned the basics about battling... What else could go wrong? As if on cue, a second fox stepped out of the gloomy shadows, thorn sharp claws glinting in the sunlight. Iceshadow let out a threatening hiss, and arched his back. "Dragonpaw! Go back to the camp and bring more warriors!" He yowled, though he knew he would have to fight these savaged beasts before a patrol got to him.
"B-but... How will you-?"
"Now!" The lithe tom nodded, and streaked off. One of the foxes stepped forward, ready to pursue him until a bulky gray shape exploded into the clearing. Jumping onto the fox's back, he began to yowl furiously and claw at his fur. The fox started to yip in confusion, twisting and turning in attempts to throw off his attacker. Seeing that his partner was equally surprised, Iceshadow thew his head back and bellowed a battle cry, gauging the fox's eyes with his long claws. Not long after, he heard more hisses and yowls coming from behind, and a patrol of OakClan warriors dashed into the clearing, and sprang onto the foxes. The foxes, now seeing that they were outnumbered, conversed with each other with high pitched yips and yaps, until they sped off into the thick undergrowth. "Stormfang and Birchfire - chase after them, and make sure they cross our borders." Cloudstar barked an order, and the two toms dashed off. Iceshadow straightened up to meet his father, his fur now clumped. "How did this happen?" He inquired. Iceshadow shrugged.
"Dragonpaw and I were just out training, and then those two came along... But luckily," He dipped his head towards the gray rogue. "He was there to help me." Cloudstar nodded slowly.
"OakClan is in your thanks." He meowed to the outsider. "Would you like to come back to our camp with us? We have plenty of food and shelter." The tom hesitated, and Iceshadow could sense he felt awkward around the large group of cats, but he nodded after a few moments. "Good. I'll get the apprentices to make you a nest when we get back to camp." Turning around, Cloudstar led the patrol back to camp. When they were walking along the leaf-strewn path of the forest, Iceshadow fell in step with the old tom.
"Thanks for saving me back there, I would have been crow-food." He meowed, though the cat did not reply. "Er... My name is Iceshadow, you?" The gray tom turned his head, his pale yellow eyes looking ghostly in the light.
"Gray." He meowed, his voice cracked as if he wasn't use to talking. Iceshadow nodding, not knowing what else to say, so he just focused his eyes on the path in front of him.
"Are you a rogue?" He finally asked, and Gray twitched his tail, his eyes questioning. Iceshadow flattened his ears. Mousebrain! Of course he doesn't know what a rogue is! He isn't Clanborn! "Someone who lives outside of Clans." He explained, and Gray heaved a sigh before going on.
"Well, I belong to a group of rogues... But not one of your "Clans" or whatchama call it." Iceshadow nodded, is eyes sparkling with interest.
"That sounds interesting. I wonder if it's anything like Clan life... Can you tell me more about it?" As the tom continued talking, Iceshadow couldn't help suppress a shiver. There are so many more things outside of our territory... How much more cats can there be?!

The Beginning

Clouds scudded the sky as Starlingwing nosed her way out of her den, and stretched in the morning sunlight, dew sparkling the ferns that coiled around the entrance of her den. As she flexed each of her claws, her fur started to prickle. A shadow fell across camp, and as the OakClan medicine cat looked up with bewilderment, she saw one single cloud blocking the suns rays. The sun glistened behind it, creating an eerie red glow that gleamed like blood. Death will be brought upon us today. A voice whispered inside the brindled tortoiseshell she-cats head. She began to shudder, even though the cloud had already moved on, no longer blocking the heat. She looked up, wondering if any other cat had heard the dark omen. But clan life moved on as usual. A few warriors milled by near the fresh-kill pile, while mentors looked on and commented to a mock battle between their apprentices. A thud of pawsteps and a mew sounded behind her. "Cloudstar?" Starlingwings ears pricked, though she didn't move from her spot. "What is it?"
"Snowfall is kitting!" The tom panted, and the medicine cat whisked inside her den with no hesitation. I should bring some borage to give her after the kitting, some cobwebs if there is any bleeding, and some sorrel to keep her strength up. As she wrapped the herbs in a beech leaf, she couldn't help thinking that this was what StarClan was warning her for. Please StarClan, don't take Snowfall away from Cloudstar... She is much too young. She shook her head, and began to trot back outside her den, and put up a brisk pace towards the nursery. Once she was there, she set down her leaf packet. "Stay out here, Cloudstar." She instructed her leader, and before he was able to argue she added, "Snowfall needs all the space she can get, and I will alert you when it is over." The tom sighed, realizing that he was better off without arguing with his medicine cat. Without another word, Starlingwing picked up her herbs again, and before she padded into the warm scents of the nursery, she sent up a silent prayer to StarClan. Please let everything go all right today. Don't let us lose a warrior today!

~*~

Starlingwing paced nervously outside the nursery, dark thoughts storming through her head. Snowfall's kitting had gone fine, she had given birth to a small tom cat. But that made the medicine cat fret even more. If the warning was not intended towards Cloudstars mate, then what would happen next? She noticed the brambles tremble as Cloudstar pushed his way though, his tail and head held high. "He's beautiful!" The leader exclaimed, acting like an excited kit on his first day out of the nursery. He noticed Starlingwing, with her eyes clouded with worry. "Oh, come on, Starlingwing. You look as if a hoard of badgers have come into the camp!" The gray and white tom joked. "Snowfall has just kitted, green-leaf has been good to us, what could go wrong?" He purred, and vanished back inside to where his mate was, while the Clan jumbled all around him, asking questions about the newborn. Oh, StarClan... What has been brought upon my Clan? Starlingwing pleaded for an answer, though only silence came.

~*~

"I, Cloudstar, leader of OakClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Cloudstar meowed, ready to burst with pride for his son.

"I do." Replied the tom, his body quivering with excitement, though his eyes shown with certainty. Cloudstar gazed down at his son, and Starlingwing thought he was purring too loudly to even speak.
 "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Icepaw, from this moment you will be known as Iceshadow. StarClan honors your strength and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of OakClan." The leaders words rang throughout the clearing as Cloudstar spoke the ancient words. Yowls echoed around the camp as clanmates surged towards the young tom, calling out his new name enthusiastically. Snowfall came over and congratulated her only kit, while the tom ducked away from her fierce licks. When Cloudstar padded down from the Oak Branch, the cats parted to let him go through. "Iceshadow, it is time for you to prepare for your vigil. You will guard the camp in silence tonight, and you will be relieved by your duty at dawn." The gray and white tom was smiling broadly, though he only rested his muzzle on top of the newly named warrior before walking back to his den, Snowfall at his side. As Iceshadow settled himself near the camp entrance, Starlingwing felt a breeze ruffle her fur, and the ominous words that she had heard so many moons ago whispered faintly into her ears again, making her fur prickle with dread. Death will be brought upon us today. Starlingwing trembled. What did this warning mean? And how will I protect my Clan from this oncoming darkness?

Mates Page

This is the mates page. If your cat is lonely, just come down here! Just make sure that special tom or she-cat isn't taken ;)

Free Tom Cats -

Stormfang Crescentpelt Birchfire Hawkeye Stoneheart Sparkfire

Free She-Cats -

Riverfang 

Who Plays Who?

Warriors101 - Cloudstar, Snowfall, Iceshadow

 Amber{Sharpstone} - Goldenbreeze, Stormfang, Dragonpaw

Stella - Birdpaw, Fallenpaw, Crescentpelt
  
DawnDragon - Birchfire, Goldfeather, Ravenpaw, Riverfang

Dovewing - Hawkeye

Alado - Stoneheart, Sparkfire 

The Warrior Code and the List of Medicine Cat Herbs

The Warrior Code

1. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.

2. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.

3. Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.

4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.

5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.

6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.

7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.

8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.

9. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

10. A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.

11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.

12. No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.

13. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.

14. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his/her battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.

15. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.

List of Medicine Cat Herbs

Alder Bark - Eases toothaches

Beech Leaves - Used to carry other herbs

Blackberry Leaves - Eases the swelling of bee stings

Borage Leaves - It produces more and better milk for nursing queens and can bring down fevers

Burdock Root - Lessens and heals the pain the pain of infected rat bites

Burnet - A traveling herb; It keeps cats strength up

Catchweed - Stops poultices from being rubbed off without hurting the skin

Catmint/Catnip - Is used to treat green and white cough

Celandine - Soothes damaged eyes

Chamomile - Strengthens heart and soothes the mind. Also given to cats for strength

Chervil - For infected wounds and bellyaches, and can be used during kitting

Chickweed - Treats greencough, though catmint is preferred

Cob Nuts - Can be made into ointments

Cobwebs - To soak up and stop (or slow) bleeding; Can also be used to bind broken bones

Coltsfoot - Eases breathing or kitten-cough, as well as cracked pads

Comfrey Root - Repairs broken bones, soothes wounds, can be used for wrenched claws or itching and used for inflammation on stiff joints

Daisy Leaf - Eases the pain of aching joints and is a traveling herb

Dandelion - White liquid is to heal and soothe bee stings, and leaves are used as a painkiller

Dock - Leaves can be chewed up to soothe scratches and sore pads

Fennel - Helps pain in the hips

Feverfew - Reduces body temperature for cats with fever or chills and can also heal aches and pains, especially good for headaches

Goldenrod - Good for healing wounds

Heather Nectar - Makes swallowing easier and sweetens mixtures 

Honey - Soothes infections, smoke-damaged or sore throats, helps cats swallow other herbs, and helps soothe coughing

Horsetail - Treats infections

Ivy Leaf - Used to store other herbs

Juniper Berries - Soothes bellyaches, gives strength and helps troubled breathing. It is also used to help calm cats

Lamb's Ear - Gives a cat strength

Lavender - Cures fever and chills, also a herb to hide the scent of death

Mallow Leaves - Soothes bellyaches

Marigold - Stops infections and bleeding, used for inflammation or stiff joints

Mint - Hides the scent of death

 Mouse Bile - Used to take off ticks

Parsley - Stops queen from producing milk and to cure bellyache

Poppy Seeds - They can put a cat to sleep, soothe shock or distress, or ease pain. Not recommended for nursing Queens

Ragwort Leaves - Treats aching joints and keeps a cat's strength up

Ragweed - Gives cat extra strength and energy

Raspberry Leaves - Eases pain and stops bleeding

Rosemary - Hides the scent of death

Rush - Helps hold a broken limb in place

Snakeroot - Heals poison

Sorrel - Traveling herb

Stinging Nettle - Induces vomiting, brings down swelling. Can be mixed with comfrey to help heal broken bones and helps with wounds

Tansy - Cures coughs, can be used to cure wounds and poisons, stops cats from getting greencough and soothes throat

Tormentil - Root is used for treating all wounds and extracting poison

Thyme - Calms nervousness, anxiety, and cats who are in shock

Traveling Herbs - Consists of sorrel, daisy, chamomile, and burnet. Used to give a cat more energy and strength

Watermint - Eases the suffering that originates from a bellyache

Wild Garlic - Prevents infections, especially rat bites

Willow Bark - Eases pain

Wintergreen - Treats wounds and some poisons

Yarrow - Extracts poison from wounds, will make a cat vomit up toxins. The ointment will soften and help heal cracked pads

Poisons

Deathberries - Kills a cat within minutes when consumed

Foxglove Seeds - They can easily cause paralysis and heart failure

Holly Berries - Poisonous, though not as much as deathberries

Nightshade - Poisonous

Water Hemlock - Causes writhing and foaming at the mouth

Camp Clearing

Here, you can take your pick at the fresh-kill pile, share tongues, set up a little mock battle, or just chat. The biggest Oak Tree near the leaders den is the meeting place, which we call The Oak Branch. Our leader will gather our Clan around and preform a ceremony, or inform our Clan something.

Leaders Den

This is our leaders den. Despite the constant spray of the small waterfall, the inside of the den is surprisingly dry. There are stepping stones that lead to the instead, and don't worry about falling in to the small pool - they are plenty big!

Elders Den

This is where our Elders sleep. Though they may be a bit cranky at times, they have served their time in the Clan, and we treat them with uttermost respect. Apprentices are responsible for supplying them with fresh-kill, clean bedding, and to get rid of those nasty ticks.

Nursery

The heart of our Clan. This is where our Queens and where our future warriors sleep. It is well protected by a tree that fell many moons ago, and it serves to be helpful during battles. Most attackers just think it is a regular log and jump right past it. Boy, are they surprised when they get a nasty scratch by one of those Queens! Queens must be fed first, and apprentices are responsible for bringing fresh-kill to them.

Apprentices Den

This is where our apprentices sleep. It used to be an abandoned fox set, but it is safe enough to use now. Ferns coil around the entrance, which prove to be useful in the hot, green-leaf sun. The young cats usually start a mock battle near the entrance, with their friends cheering on. Or they might use that space for less rambunctious things, like sharing tongues.

Warriors Den

The den closest to the entrance of the camp, this is where our loyal warriors sleep. It is big enough to keep plenty of cats sheltered, and has an easy entrance or exit so that if the Clan is attacked, they can maneuver quickly to get out.

Medicine Cats Den

This is where our Medicine Cats Den is located. Below, there is plenty of room for the Medicine Cat and their apprentice, along with sick cats. A small pool supplies them with water that is easy to transport using moss, and to wash their paws off after using herbs. And with a pawful of crevices and dips in the walls of the den, they can store their herbs neatly and carefully. Come here whenever you are sick, or if you have any questions about the will of StarClan.

Join OakClan!

Hi, welcome to OakClan! I'm OakClan's leader, Cloudstar. You're lucky my border patrol caught you wandering around our territory. Some cats can get lost for many sunrises in our territory, if you're not familiar with the territory, of course. But us OakClan cats know this land like the back of our paw. Every tree, every leaf, every blade of grass that blows in the wind... Hmm? You sound like you're interested in this kind of life. Well, let me warn you, it's not easy. Hunger and sickness in the cold moons, other Clans to watch out for... Alright, alright. I see you have made up your mind. But first, I have to know a few things about you...

Name: (Make sure to include warrior name, if apprentice)
Rank:
Gender:
Description:
Family:(Relationships toward other cats)
Picture:

Thank you for joining my Clan, and we welcome you to our ranks with open paws.

Just one rule here... Please no "exotic" names! That means no desserts, kitty-pet names, or our names for seasons.

Training Hollow

Mentors can come here to teach their apprentices hunting, climbing, or battle moves. Make sure to keep your claws sheathed!

Forest

This is OakClan's forest. Cats can come here to hunt, go on patrols, or if they are a Medicine Cat, to gather herbs.